Perkasie resident Suzanne Cleary, who said this is her 30th Philadelphia Folk Fest, had been on the festival grounds at the Old Pool Farm since Wednesday. 'Usually in the campground, there's not a whole lot of space. There's actually room in the campgrounds,' said the security volunteer. For a change, the festival area isn't dusty from drought, or muddy from storms, with the exception of a muddy patch at the bottom of the hill by the Craft Stage and Dulcimer Grove. 'Oh my gosh, this is phenomenal,' said first-time Folk Fest visitor Sue Haines of Bala Cynwyd of the temperatures in the 70s. 'Could the weather be better this year?,' said Jesse Lundy of the festival's talent booking company, Point Entertainment, before the start of the afternoon Philly local music showcase on the main stage. 'As long as you have something to sleep under or next to,' Lundy said, referring to unseasonably cool nights for August. Not long after The Lawsuits began to play on the main stage, an attentive crowd gathered under the new Cultural Tent stage, nestled among the Fest vendors, for a workshop concert on women and murder ballads which featured Harleysville Celtic group Burning Bridget Cleary, up and coming Philadelphia singer/songwriter Dani Mari and Americana quintet Sweetbriar Rose. 'Feels like home,' said Burning Bridget Cleary's Rose Baldino shortly after stepping off the stage after a song that featured all of the musicians sharing the stage. Another band with members from the area, Psych-A-Billy, performed Friday. Headlining the first day of the 52nd annual Philadelphia Folk Festival were The Stray Birds, Otis Taylor Band, Runa, Amy Helm (daughter of The Band's Levon Helm), Jake Shimabukuro, and the Richard Thompson Electric Trio. During The Stray Birds' set, Haines, her husband, Francis, and their 10-year-old son, Duncan shared some family togetherness. 'We knew it was kid-friendly,' she said, taking a break from hula-hooping. Laying on a blanket next to a student guitar and a tambourine, Francis Haines described his family as 'music lovers' getting out and enjoying what's left of the summer. Although it's tough getting schedules to align, the family may try camping at the festival next year. Emerging from the Yards Beer tent, Chadds Ford resident Tom Duffy, remarked how much the festival reminds him of where he previously lived for 20 years. 'This has a California feel to it in terms of being relaxed,' he said. Sipping a cup of water, Duffy was amused by a flier for a Topless Foot Race set for today in the campground area, remarking that it reminded him of San Francisco. 'Apparently it goes right by my tent,' he said. Some township residents that live on Clemmers Mill and Salford Station roads seized an opportunity to make a few bucks, while offering hospitality, with yard sales, a lemonade stand, even 'secure parking.' A house at Schwenksville and Salford Station roads had a mobile barbecue pit set up and signs advertising a barbecue today and Sunday. Saturday's headliners include Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen's 'Songs in the Pocket: Essential Songs of Philadelphia,' Todd Rundgren and The Mavericks. Get more information at www.folkfest.org. Attending the festival? Tweet your photos of unique Folk Fest fashions to us @lansreporter with the hash tag #pfashion. Follow Brian Bingaman on Twitter @brianbingaman. For breaking news SMS alerts from The Reporter, text LANNEWS to 22700 from your mobile phone. Msg & data rates may apply. For help, text HELP.